Working on something meaningful is a common desire – but how? We started asking folks to share the story of how they ended up working on a project they felt was meaningful because we wanted inspiration but also because we wondered if hearing from people from across a range of industries would help us identify patterns making it more likely for anyone to be able to find and work on projects that they would find meaningful.
Michael Boatright
My story begins by having been a theater dad for most of the past 30 years. My daughter performed in 119 different shows from Pre-K through High School and I made photographs of the lion’s share of those performances–at least one in each of the 15 years that she performed. Fast forward a few years and without my muse, I sought out other projects, including a dance company for seven seasons and the Georgia Tech (my alma mater) student theater company, DramaTech (the oldest continuously running theater company in the Southeast USA) for the past 8 years. Throughout the past 40 years, I’ve also been a patron of a couple of different professional theater companies. Read more>>
Sophia Annello
Recently I travelled to Nashville, TN to work on a few songs that I would release as singles later this year. I worked with multiple writers and producers while in Nashville, and this trip really inspired me to dive into a different side of myself as a musician and writer. From fun party songs, to heavy nostalgia, the lyrics were pouring out of me, and I noticed my Texas roots were really starting to show. I have always had a huge passion for country music, but I never really considered myself a true “country” artist. I found that I was writing one pop-country song after another while working with these talented folks, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. Read more>>
Steven Jones
When I transitioned from the nonprofit world into the City of Grapevine’s Economic Development Department, I knew it was the start of a new chapter for me but I didn’t have a clear sense of what that chapter might contain. I was about to get engaged (then married, then become a homeowner, then enter a global pandemic along with everyone else). Looking at my resume, you could find the common threads but it was difficult to see how they would weave together: I went from working in radio to launching a communications department, learning videography and photography on the fly while I relied on my writing and film criticism experience as a foundation. Read more>>
Gwen Rucker
This year I began working on a quilt in hopes of using up some of the scrap fabric I have accumulated over the years. I have been working as a textile artist for about five years but up until recently all of my projects involved purchasing new fabric, not long ago I looked around and realized how much waste I had accumulated. With this project I have challenged myself to use only fabric and supplies I already had in an effort to reimagine waste as an element in a work of art. The main blocks of the quilt are made from embroidery hoop lining that has been stitched back together and patched using scrap from embroidered dolls. Read more>>
Nan Kemberling
My whole career as a cellist has been built on playing other people’s music. That’s what we do most of the time. We interpret the musical scripts that have been written and act them out on our instruments. Way before the concerts occur, we read, interpret, and then internalize someone else’s musical ideas to present as if they are our own. We learn to love those ideas and only then can we make them feel like they are coming from our own minds. During the pandemic, all this work as a musical conduit was put on hold. At first it was devastating, but then I realized it opened up some space for me to do what I had always wanted to: Release my own original music. Read more>>
Kristina Johnson
The most meaningful project I have worked on with Ascent Living Communities is collecting photos of all the senior living residents from each of the communities and for Christmas turning all those special moments into a 16X24 poster for them to have in their common areas. Staff and residents loved seeing their moments on the poster and it brought everyone together for the holidays. Read more>>
John Francis McCullagh
As of this date, my most meaningful project has been, and still is, my first feature film DEAD HAND. My business partner, Timothy Stevens, and I created our company Spectrograph Films (www.spectrographfilms.com) in December of 2019. The company’s goal is to create our feature films, but we needed funding. We both created business plans and pitch decks for our own respective films, but we faced two major roadblocks to getting those films funded. The first, as many can relate to, was the start of the COVID pandemic. Practicality of shooting in that time aside, investors and companies were holding tight to their finances as the future was uncertain. Read more>>
Romulo Martinez
In my artistic career of more than 15 years dedicated to art creation, I have had great opportunities to develop exhibition projects with works of installation nature for which I feel identified as a visual artist. Among them I remember my individual exhibition Consumables, held in 2015 at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Zulia, under the curatorial work of Jimmy Yanez, where I developed 6 large-scale proposals of various materiality and formality among them. This project meant a before and after in my career, as it provided me with new notions of interaction and intervention in the museum space. Read more>>
Tyler Fiore & Ryan Alexander
Tyler: I think the most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the one we’re currently in the process of creating. Our last album “Urgency” was written and recorded during the peak of COVID-19 lockdowns. Our first two albums were created while we lived together living the bachelor life and most were tracks we didn’t get to work together on. So it’s been fun to make something together start to finish again, not living the bachelor life, or during a lockdown. Ryan: Probably the Urgency album. It was our first project start to finish we did together, as far as full albums go. It also happened during COVID, and was definitely an outlet to cure the boredom and stay busy. Read more>>
Khari Sekou I
As fate would have it, my new book, “111 Timeless Truths”, is the most meaningful project to me. It represents my transformation. I’ve always been a creative writer/artist/performer and I’ve always created some level of positive content but the new book shows my growth into the man I am now. I went through a dark period in my life and I often felt like it would never end. I had to reprogram my mind, change my habits, develop new relationships, heal my past traumas, and face my demons. To get through the darkness I soaked up as much positivity as I could find. I listened to (and still do) Les Brown, Jim Rohn, ET the Hip Hop Preacher, Bob Proctor and other motivators. Read more>>
Dori Salois
As the Executive Artistic Director of a theatre, the projects I choose to produce and direct must be meaningful to me.. Considering the time and energy it takes to take a script from development to full production, one must have their whole heart in the project. I get sent plays that are comedies, dramas and musicals, but if a play doesn’t present something in a unique way, have that Aha moment… I am not interested. I did two projects recently that I feel embodied the Aha moment. The first was a new play which we developed and produced the world premiere of The Color Of Light by Jesse Kornbluth that told the story of Matisse’s creation of the Chapel at Vence. Read more>>
Laurie Miller
Writing my memoir has been the most challenging and meaningful projects to date! As one of the creators and original members of the pop group Expose’, I have recently gotten a lot of attention about the story behind the original line up and the sequence of events that led to the breakup and sequential new line up of 3 new girls. This led to a remake of our hit song “Point of No Return” and a lot of misinformation concerning what really happened. Interest in a doc-drama musical series has inspired me to first create my memoir. Read more>>
Joe Michaels
On Jan 1 2022, at almost 67 years old, I started a record label. Bent River Records… dedicated to my dog and trusted companion Bentley… and as a way to give back to indie musicians who need a home for their music. Read more>>
Shayema Rahim
Being able to help someone is very important to me. God has blessed me with a talent that I can help people through that. I help/ helped multiple charities in Dallas by donating my Art. They sell my paintings in silent auction and raise funds for the cause. Among many charities that I helped one was St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. I, myself have donated several paintings for their auction, I also requested my Artist friends to donate. They did and I was able to raise $60 K worth it paintings. I know it is not a huge amount of money. But it still makes me smile thinking I was able to help in my small way for this great cause. Read more>>
Lehi Petersen
We are finally releasing our first full length album titled “I Am Omega” June 14. 2022. It has been in the works since Summer 2019 but COVID slowed down the process. Our sound has evolved a lot and we are making strides to carve out our own sound in the industry. The album features some unconventional music writing and is our most experimental to date. It will be available on vinyl as well as streaming digitally on all major services. Along with the album is an ambitious music video founded and created by the band which will release April 19th on youtube and other platforms. Read more>>
Fabion 305″ Sweetland-Pitter”
The Most Meaningful project I ever worked on was my latest EP “Area 305”. I centered it around the incredible city of Miami and wrote it based off of true life experiences. It means so much to me just for the simple fact its my creation that I wanted to share with the world to make ours. I wanted to create something people could feel. Read more>>
Susan Kavanaugh
My mission in life is to help people find hope and through that, peace. When I was very young, I have wonderful memories of going to church and singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” The key phrase in that song is “And let it begin with ME.” Early in my career, I had the pleasure to work with Jill Jackson, Cyd Miller’s co-author and co-composer of that song, so it reinforced my mission even further. It was serendipitous to meet and work with her but I also believe my higher power created it as a message to remind me I was on the right path. Read more>>
Jacob Stone
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is a web series called Dawn of the Dude. It’s a post-apocalyptic wasteland survival series where our main characters fight Girl Scout Cartel, Zombies, and a Plague determined to bring the end of the world. Season 1 is already available online and we are currently working on prep for season 2. It’s meaningful to me because not only do I get to make something cool with my friends and have fun, but it came at a time during the pandemic in 2020 when everything was shut down and we just wanted to create. Read more>>
Lamar Adot Thomas
My most recent album title “33” was an concept based around what things will I be going thru to reach that age. I’m actually 32. I formatted the album 2 ways so content and context is key. Sunday Morning the first track and ending with Sunday Night which is 1 day but you can listen to it backwards starting from the last track Sunday Night. It gives you a week worth of material. Taking problems as depression, heart ache and simply questioning your gift. Its a lot to take in when an advance feeling of knowing time heals. Read more>>
Judy DRAMA
My most meaningful project is my debut album “So Good”! It has an explosive track list of 10 songs, that were all written , recorded and performed by me except the last song “Lil’ Change” which was recorded by my late best friend, Oreste Seino. Each track was cultivated during a time in my life where I couldn’t or should I say didn’t want to communicate with others. If someone wanted to know exactly what was on my mind or how I felt about a situation it would only reflect through my music but never an actual verbal exchange. Read more>>
Darrell Antone
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on and currently work on is the Help-Portrait Day in December. Help-Portrait is about GIVING the pictures, not taking them. These portraits aren’t for a portfolio, website, or sale. It’s about giving people who otherwise couldn’t afford photography, a chance to capture a moment, a memory…and a whole lot more. Help-Portrait was founded by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart and Kyle Chowning in 2008. The mission is to empower photographers and other creatives to use their skills, tools and expertise to give back to their local community. Read more>>
Nolan Brumbach
The Crooked Rugs is the most meaningful project I have been a part of in my musical journey. I have played in many other bands throughout the years, back when I was a teen in Omaha, NE and through my college career and beyond in Fort Collins.This project has been intense and on-going since we started moving back in August of 2019. We have gone through several phases of creation, the first being from August 2019 – March 2020. The band was writing and playing a lot, just trying to get our name our there. Then when covid hit we went into a concentrated writing and recording phases where we recorded of first two albums. Read more>>
Kierra Aiello
I am fortunate enough to have worked on many meaningful projects in my life, from collaborating with women artists experiencing poverty, to increasing environmental sustainability efforts at the Denver Art Museum, and much more. However, I would like to focus on a project from earlier this year. I played a very small role, and the impact was relatively small, but it meant so much to the youth that participated. For context, as I started sixth grade at West Middle School in Grand Junction, Colorado, I began to play the cello. I loved it. Read more>>
Alexandria Norado
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on to date was definitely for my “Deity” series back in 2019. I was really into reading webtoons and any sort of escapism I could find at that moment, and I stumbled upon a slow rising story called “Lore Olympus”. I basically fell in love with the story and almost immediately felt so many ideas popping into my head on shoots that I could create that were loosely inspired by the story and further research into Greek/Roman mythology. One of the most memorable parts of the process was meeting with local artists to collaborate on not only the styling, but the makeup, models, poems, and most importantly, the custom created wardrobe. Read more>>
Amanda Vlastas
The “Meet a Mom” interview I conduct with local moms is by far the most meaningful part of the business for me. From a young age I had an empathetic spirit and have always loved helping others. When I started West University Moms, I really only imagined it to be a resource website where I offered information however when I implemented the “Meet a Mom” interview, my passion to encourage and uplift other moms really took plight. Before having kids myself, I imagined being a mom would look and feel like what we see in movies, tv shows, etc. I didn’t know all of the issues that came along with it like postpartum depression or anxiety, potentially losing your identity, marital issues, the challenges of juggling work, mom-guilt etc. Read more>>
Andrew Garcia
I feel lucky to say that I’m currently working on my most personal and meaningful project to date. My new film “Tumba Del Mar” is currently in pre production and speaks to my Cuban-American roots in Miami where we romanticize the glitz and glamour of the city without considering the tragic immigrant journeys that comprise it. Tumba Del Mar is a story grief, love, and the constant struggle to attain an immigrant’s idea of the American Dream. In the wake of Fidel Castro’s death, Rosa, a Cuban woman and single parent, is forced to face the turbulent trauma of her past, the passing of her husband, and her son’s determination to leave their life in Miami for something bigger. Read more>>
David Woods
The latest collection release for our company “Tony Visions” was taken out of the common fashion scope and placed into a short film displayed in movie theaters. We created visuals with our models and garments and placed it all together for a short film called “Genesis”. A non spoken film showing a story of origin. Read more>>
Blue Nightmare
Honestly, the most meaningful project I’ve been working on is the one I’m working on right now. It truly represents me plus the stories in which I’m both a character and the author of, and not an embellished version of me & what I’ve been through. It’s real, raw, & uncut. I also realize that there’s a new sense of self that I’ve gained, and I’m more aware now of what I want & confident in truly trusting my gut and going with what I feel is great, no matter if people don’t see the vision at first. As long as I see it, that’s what keeps me going. Plus being unapologetically me.. This next project might not only just represent that, but my evolution in ways that I might not even realize. Read more>>
Jimi Bowman
My good friend Jeff “Skin” Wade organized a project with the Dallas Mavericks called “The Truth To Power Project” The collaboration utilizes the power of music and puts the funding directly into the hands of selected non-profits who are empowering African-American communities. There were so many talented people involved in this project that is was such an honor to be involved with many of my peers. Being in and around the Dallas music scene since the late 80’s I have never seen anything like it. It was simply amazing. The album charted on the Billboard Top 20 complication records the week of release. Read more>>
Anjali B. Arnold
Picture a clutch of multi-colored balloons, all different sizes and shapes, reaching toward the sun. You’re holding them because they are yours. They are you. Helping other people recognize and figure out how they already are naturally creative beings, inherently, brings them to a new place of self-realization. Intending to create anything from nothing (the ultimate meaningful project) is a direct connect to inherent worth that is undeniable. It is possibly the most powerful pathway to inner knowing and self-worth. I’d say my most meaningful projects are ones I didn’t even know I took on that I needed most, or ones I welcomed knowing they’d take me on the road less travelled. Read more>>
Meet Joshua Brady
Narrowing it down to one meaningful project is kind of tricky….I have at least two such projects happening right now simultaneously! Let’s talk about the series of ongoing sketches I’ve been slowly adding to that I call my “Grief Sketches.” My father died very unexpectedly the morning of January 4th 2021. It was the first day of school after returning from Christmas break and just as my first class was walking into the Art Room I received news that I had to get home which was only a few miles from where I teach. Just like that, everything changed in my world. Read more>>
Jan Sikes
That question is almost like asking which of your children is your favorite. Each one of my books and short stories is super special to me, but the beginning story is, without a doubt, the most meaningful. Why? Because it is not only a true story, it also launched my current writing career. Let me back up. I met Texas musician Rick Sikes when I was nineteen. Ours was a fast and furious love affair that abruptly ended when he was arrested and convicted on two counts of bank robbery. While it was a crime he had not committed, he knew of and had been an accessory to the robberies. Read more>>
Classik Mussik
Every Project I’ve Worked ON Has come with, sacrifices, downs, clarity,change, life changing decisions. It has never been a easy road for me when releasing music because I have to relive what writing about, and I have to re-Feel what im singing about, and Man, when you think you move passed stuff or dealt with things and find out that all that hurt was just under a rug so everything looks nice, but you are really good looking mess. That been me, and every time I do a project im better and better, more wiser, more healed and more free. But its a War to get there and I fight hard. Read more>>
Erin Devany
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is the music video for the band Upsetting’s “Form/Foul”. I’ve been struggling with sleep disorders for a while (insomnia / sleep paralysis as a child, night terrors that i still suffer from) and this was a way for me to properly confront and put a face to those moments of lonely dark horror. The video focuses on a character that continuously wakes up in their own nightmares, while the band is tossed around, pushed, and yelled at by strangers. This was the best way I could find catharsis in the unknown, unsure, and terrifying. Creating those obstacles and overcoming them through my work was very calming, and gave me a great confidence and being able to battle my demons both physical and mental. Read more>>
Carolyn Hancock
Teaching myself to pivot from the absolute placement of features of a face to the always moving quality of water made my new collection of waterscapes my most challenging and meaningful project. From bays and rivers to deep oceans, water has always been a part of my life. Growing up around Mobile Bay, its rivers, and the Gulf Coast taught me the feel of moving water. Scuba diving and traveling to many coastal countries showed me the infinite beauty and power of the water. Step into its edges and the sand dissolves under your feet. Push a little further in and waves gently rock. Read more>>
Noor Blazekovic
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been under the partnership of Irreversible Projects as the Curator for the Miami Dade College Hialeah Campus Gallery. MDCH = Mother: Why do I call her- the Campus- Mother? The enormous chance provided to a local artist having a solo show is unquestionably career life changing. It’s literally impossible for a local emerging artist to get a solo show in any local gallery. At this point in my career (15 years in the making), I ask myself, “What exactly is the goal of an art show?” As a curator who typically works with emerging artists on solo exhibits, I regard the exhibition as a pivotal moment, an opportunity for an artist to comprehend their practice’s growth and engage with the community. Read more>>
Blurry
The Music Heals program brought by The Texas Music Project has been the most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on. Our goal is to help inspire kids in need through the power of music. Before the pandemic, I was lucky to be able to perform for the kids and families at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. I’d bring my guitar bedside and sing with the kids in their rooms, we would share ideas, and some kids would even show me the songs they’ve written! Read more>>
Jaye Budd
Alchemy Sky’s Veterans Music Project is where post-9/11 Veterans have a chance to tell their stories through the power of music. Our nonprofit developed a program whereby Veterans can work side by side with music industry leaders be they producers, artists, session players or writers. After the song is recorded and mixed, we release the songs to the world. Veterans have input every step of the way and are credited writers when the song goes live. Read more>>
CJ Critt
A decade ago, I became aware of the growing climate crisis, and the declining bee population – sort of the canary in the coal mine – of eco-alarms. As a life long creative and a native born tree hugger from Oregon, I felt an urgency to address this crisis, but how to do it in a way that does not lecture, scold, or depress audiences? The goal – create a show that presents a diverse cast, entertains wildly, while slyly educating the audience into looking at mother nature and her bees in a positive way. as the heroes triumph and the villains meet their hilarious comeuppance. Read more>>
David Doub
When I went to High School (1992-1996) I was very much the nerd, the outsider. I was smart, I played Magic the Gathering, I liked roleplaying games and comics. Being in a small Texas town and with strong stereotypes like sports (and especially Football) being king, it made for a very horrible situation where I was bullied basically daily. I felt so afraid and angry every day, that the trauma follows to me to this day where I have issues with anger and anxiety that I’ve had to have therapy and medication to help deal with it. Read more>>